Disposable convertible backpack tote

ABSTRACT

A device for carrying items that functions as a tote bag and is convertible into a securely held backpack or a shoulder sling. A user may utilize closed loop drawstrings as armhole loops and perforatedly attached straps for securing the tote around the user&#39;s waist.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority from the disclosure of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 60/737,278, entitled “Disposable ConvertibleBackpack Tote.”

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to devices for carrying itemsand, more particularly, to a disposable device that functions as a“tote” type bag and is convertible into a securely held backpack.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Plastic bags, that is bags formed of thermoplastic synthetic resin film,for example polyethylene, have come into common usage as produce bags,grocery bags, general and specialty merchandise bags, and the like. Suchbags are produced in a variety of configurations and constructions withone of the most widely known forms of bag being what is usuallygenerally referred to in the industry as a T-shirt bag.

Attendees at conventions, tradeshows, and similar events may collect asubstantial amount of literature samples and other items provided byvendors displaying their goods and services at the event. Each tradesponsor may have a separate hand-held bag for its literature or giveawayitems, and the convention goer may end up with several different bagsall carried by the straps, loops or handles of the bag, all in one hand.

Yet further, visitors to amusement parks, theme parks, national parks,museums, sporting events, water parks, or other similar touristattractions may be inundated with things to carry or tote around. Theleast of which may likely include handheld bags for souvenirs, paperproducts or literature, extra clothing (swim wear, jacket, etc.), or thelike.

Plastic bag manufacturers have explored various avenues for carryingthese bags. Some bags, for instance, have incorporated loop handles,while others have slits or cut-out holes. Additionally, some have wood,metal, or other material incorporated to create a handle.

Some of the disposable plastic bags that are currently available allowusers to hold the bag with their hands and wear the bags on their backs.However, some of these bag designs involve elaborate, intricatelyinterwoven corded rope systems that attach at the top, the bottom, theleft side, and the right side of the bag. As a result, a user may not beable to simply or easily convert from handheld usage to shoulder “sling”tote to backpack usage without tangling the ropes, drawing the bag intoa new configuration from its original flat shape, or requiringinstructions for usage.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This application discloses a new disposable convertible bag thatfunctions as a hand-held tote and is convertible into a “sling” typetote, worn on either shoulder, and into a securely held backpack.Embodiments of the invention may employ one or more of the followingfeatures disclosed herein either singly or in combination. Theseembodiments may facilitate the emerging technologies discussed in thebackground above, as well as the technologies yet to come.

Embodiments of the invention may provide a disposable plastic or similarmaterial bag with at least two closed loop drawstrings incorporatedwithin at least one hem at the top of the bag. The tote may be carriedin the user's hand utilizing the drawstrings in several differentmanners. In one example, the drawstrings may be pulled together from thetop center notch of the tote providing a handle of approximately onehalf of the total length of each drawstring. In another example, theuser may pull both drawstrings from the end notches only, and hold thetote in his hand in this orientation.

Additionally, the user may pull each of the drawstrings in opposinglateral directions, such that the full length of each of the closed loopdrawstrings are exposed through either end notch and utilize theresulting loops as armholes, with one arm going through both loops. Thetote is then worn slung over either of the user's shoulders. Further,the user may also project each arm through a respective loop, one oneach side, with the open top end of the tote resting upon the user'sback in a back-pack fashion.

An embodiment of the invention may provide attached plastic strapsacross the bottom of the tote bag, parallel to the closed bottom end.The attached straps are located one per side and perforatedlydetachable. The user may detach the perforated straps and tie both endsaround his waist to secure the tote while in use as a backpack. The usermay further tighten or loosen his waist straps according to hispreferences.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, particularembodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exemplary tote.

FIG. 2 is a partial plan view depicting a corner region of the tote ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial plan view depicting a corner and middle region ofthe tote of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 a shows a perspective view of a user holding the tote of FIG. 1in an exemplary handheld mode.

FIG. 4 b shows a perspective view of a user holding the tote of FIG. 1in an exemplary slung-over shoulder mode.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a tote of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the tote of FIG. 5 being worn as abackpack in exemplary fashion.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a tote of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a partial plan view of a corner region of the tote as seen inFIG. 7.

These figures are intended to be exemplary of the present invention, andnot limiting thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning to the figures, wherein like numerals denote like componentsthroughout the several views, FIG. 1 is generally directed to a devicefor carrying items. The device can be disposable and convertible.Embodiments of the invention enable a user to conveniently convert ahandheld tote into a shoulder “sling” or a backpack, and optionallysecure it to his waist.

In one embodiment, as further represented by FIG. 1, there is shown adisposable, convertible tote 10 having at least two sides 12 (only oneside shown), and an open top end 18 and a closed bottom end 19. The tote10 may be made from a film of thermoplastic material, such aspolyethylene, but may be made from any suitable material, includingpaper or cloth as would be appreciated by one skilled in the art.

In the present example, as shown in FIG. 2, at least one hem 16 isprovided on each side 12 of the backpack tote 10 at the open top end 18,and at least two closed loop drawstrings 22, 24 are provided within eachof the at least one hem 16 (only one hem per side is shown). The closedloop drawstrings 22, 24 are generally formed to have circumferenceswhich are at least similar in length to the circumference of the topopening of the backpack tote 10, but may be longer.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the tote 10 is formed with end notches 26, 27,at each end of each hem 16, and with at least one center notch 28 nearthe center of each hem 16. Either the center notch 28 or the end notches26, 27 will allow the bag to be carried handheld. If both drawstringsare pulled together from either the center notch 28 or the end notches26, 27, the user uses approximately one half of the drawstring loop'slength, as shown in FIG. 4 a for example. In this example, bothdrawstrings 22, 24 are pulled together from the end notches 26, 27. Thecenter notch 28 need not be located in the center of the hem, it may beoffset to one side or the other. Additional notches may also be presentin the hem.

The tote 10 may also be slung over the user's shoulder with eachdrawstring 22, 24 pulled in an opposing lateral direction, such thatsubstantially the full length of each of the closed loop drawstrings areexposed through either end notch 26, 27. The resulting loops 32, 34 areutilized as armholes in the present example, with one arm going throughboth loops 32, 34, as shown in FIG. 4 b.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an embodiment regarding conversion of the tote10 into a backpack is shown in which the closed loop drawstrings 22, 24are each pulled in an opposite direction through the end notches 26, 27forming armhole loops 32, 34. With the closed loop drawstrings pulled,the user simply projects one arm through each armhole loop 32, 34,oriented so that the tote 10 rests on the users back with the open topend 18 of the tote 10 positioned above the closed bottom end 19, asshown in FIG. 6.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, each tote 10 may have a strap 40on each side 12 of the backpack tote 10 that allows the user to securethe backpack tote 10 around his waist. Each strap 40 may be orientedparallel to and in close proximity with the closed bottom end 19, andmay have first and second ends 42, 44. The first and second ends 42, 44may be perforated 46 near either end 42, 44 of the strap, such that whendetached (while being worn on the user's back), one strap end 42, 44hangs down on either side of the user, so that a strap 40 may be tiedaround the user's waist. The user may tighten or loosen the tied straps40 according to his preference.

Each tote 10 may have a logo or design on either or both sides 12 thatallows manufacturers or licensees to advertise. Similarly, the tote 10may be manufactured in various sizes and shapes, as would be understoodby one skilled in the art. Further, this backpack tote 10 can be re-usedas a user of the tote 10 saw fit.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. While a specific embodiment of the invention has beenshown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatvarious changes and modifications may be made therein, without departingfrom the scope, spirit and intent of the invention as set forth in theappended claims.

Therefore, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exactconstruction and operation shown and described. Accordingly, all suchsuitable changes or modifications in structure or operation which may beresorted to are intended to fall within the scope of the claimedinvention.

1. A disposable convertible tote for carrying items, comprising: a totewith at least two sides, and an open top end and a closed bottom end; atleast one hem provided on each of said sides defining said open top end,and said each at least one hem having two ends and a center; end notchesat said each end of said each hem and center notches at said center ofeach of said at least one hems; and two or more closed loop drawstringswithin said at least one hem having circumferences which at least framesaid open top end.
 2. The disposable tote of claim 1, further comprisinga strap attached on each side of said tote, having first and secondends; and said strap oriented parallel to and in close proximity withsaid closed bottom end, and perforated near said first or second strapend such that when each of said straps are perforatedly detached, thesaid strap ends are oriented for tying around a user's waist.
 3. Amethod of carrying a tote, the method comprising: providing a tote,wherein the tote comprises an enclosure having a plurality of sidesconnected at a closed bottom end and an open top end, a plurality ofclosed-loop drawstrings running through the open top end, and a straporiented on each side of said tote, wherein each of said straps areperforatedly attached; pulling each of the strings to provide first andsecond pulled strings; placing the first pulled string over a firstshoulder; and placing the second pulled string over a second shoulder.